Household electric cooking appliance, such as a food processor, comprising a simplified locking and unlocking device

ABSTRACT

Electrical household appliance for culinary preparation, of the food processor type having a body forming a base to receive a working receptacle in which can be disposed a rotatable working element driven by a motor disposed in the body, a lid to close the working receptacle, and a mechanism for locking the lid on the working receptacle. The mechanism has jaws movably mounted on the body between a locking position in which they engage the lid to block it vertically and an unlocking position in which the lid can be withdrawn, these jaws being movable against at least one restoring member toward one of the two positions. The appliance further has an unlocking mechanism movably mounted on the body between a rest position in which the jaws are able to lock the lid on the receptacle, and an active position in which the jaws are brought into their unlocking position.

This application is the national phase of international applicationPCT/FR98/02115 filed Oct. 2, 1998 which designated the U.S.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention concerns an electrical household appliance forculinary preparation, of the food processor type, having a bodycomprising a motor block, a working receptacle provided to receive arotatable working element driven by the motor block, as well as a lidcapable of being locked onto the working receptacle.

By electrical household appliance for culinary preparation, of the foodprocessor type, there is meant an appliance provided to produce choppedpreparations, mixtures, or even grated or sliced preparations.

PRIOR ART

The document EP 0 549 818 describes an electrical household appliancefor culinary preparation comprising a working receptacle locked onto abody by means of a bayonet attachment system, a lid locked onto theworking receptacle by means of a bayonet attachment system, the lidhaving a tongue engaging in a slot of a housing forming a projectingpart of the body to actuate a safety device which allows functioning ofthe appliance.

Such a construction permits the working receptacle to be maintained onthe body during operation of the appliance and avoids mechanicallyurging the actuating tongue of the safety device, but presents thedrawback of requiring that the user perform two locking movementsassociating each with a precise positioning of the receptacle withrespect to the body, or of the lid with respect to the receptacle,followed by a rotation of the receptacle with respect to the body, or ofthe lid with respect to the receptacle. Such a construction alsorequires that the user hold the body of the appliance or the receptaclewhen he wished to remove the receptacle from the body of the applianceor even to unlock the lid from the receptacle. In addition, when the lidhas a hollow shaft provided for introducing ingredients into the workingreceptacle, the position thereof is determined by the position of thelid which permits operation of the appliance. The user cannot choose theposition of the lid.

The document FR 2 340 706 describes an electrical household appliancefor culinary preparation having a base whose upper part constitutes aseat for receiving a removable accessory, such as a vegetable slicer,said accessory having a housing forming a working receptacle and a lidcovering the housing. The lid is locked by means of two diametricallyopposite bolts of the type called knuckle (joint), each having a hook ofwhich the tip comes to engage with an ear of the base and which isarticulated to the lid by the intermediary of a pivoting stirrupinterposed between a boss of this lid and the extremity of the hookopposed to its tip. The motor is controlled by a switch whose operatingelement is situated on the upper part of the base and is actuated bymeans of a push button movably mounted on the hook of the lock, by theintermediary of a transmission mounted in the housing of the accessory.

This construction presents the drawback of providing an appliance havinga working receptacle having transmission means serving to actuate themotor of the appliance. Cleaning of said receptacle is not facilitatedby this arrangement. In addition, a precise positioning of the lid, ofthe working receptacle and of the base of the appliance is necessary toproceed with locking of the lid on the base.

The document FR 2 370 456 describes an electrical mixer having a workingreceptacle disposed on a base and closed by a lid, locking of the lidbeing assured by an operating lever pivoting around a horizontal axisand being applied by a movable bearing against a locking lever, whichpivots around a fixed bearing and comes to bear against the lid. Thefixed bearing can be moved freely through a determined distance in theaxial direction. Starting from said fixed bearing, a control shaftguides a switch up to an actuating button of the circuit controlling themotor of the appliance.

Such a construction offers the advantage of providing an appliance inwhich the lid can be disposed on the working receptacle without aprecise orientation, the working receptacle being able to be equallydisposed without a precise orientation on the base. This constructionpresents, however, the drawback of controlling locking and unlocking byrotation of a lever around a horizontal axis, which presents a risk ofthrowing the appliance off balance during the operations of locking orof unlocking, if the appliance is not held sufficiently during operationof the lever. In addition, the utilization of a pivoting lever whichcomes to bear on the top of the lid in order to lock the cover on thebody is difficult to envision for constructing an appliance in whichgrated or sliced preparations will be produced, the ingredients of whichare introduced through a hollow shaft formed in the lid, and in whichthe lid can be positioned on the working receptacle over a large rangeof orientations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the invention aims consequently to provide a remedy to thedifferent drawbacks enumerated previously and to furnish an electricalhousehold appliance for culinary preparation which is particularly easyto use.

Another object of the invention aims to provide an electrical householdappliance for culinary preparation which offers a great freedom ofpositioning of the lid with respect to the working receptacle.

Another object of the invention aims to provide an electrical householdappliance for culinary preparation of which the unlocking can beeffectuated with a single hand.

Another object of the invention aims to provide an electrical householdappliance for culinary preparation which offers a great freedom ofpositioning of the working receptacle with respect to the base of theappliance.

The objects of the invention are achieved with the aid of an electricalhousehold appliance for culinary preparation, of the food processor typehaving a body forming a base provided to receive a working receptacle inwhich can be disposed a rotatable working element driven by a motordisposed in the body, a lid provided to close the working receptacle,and means for locking the lid onto the working receptacle disposed onthe base, in which the locking means have at least two jaws movablymounted on the body between a locking position in which they engage thelid to lock it vertically and an unlocking position in which the lid canbe withdrawn, these jaws being movable against at least one restoringmeans toward one of the two positions, the appliance having unlockingmeans mounted for movement on the body between a rest position in whichthe jaws are capable of locking the lid on the receptacle, and an activeposition in which the jaws are brought into their unlocking position, orinversely, the jaws and the unlocking means being movably mounted on thelid and the jaws engaging with the body to lock the cover on thereceptacle.

Thus, a user desiring to lock the lid on the working receptacle of theappliance simply places the lid on the working receptacle. Locking isobtained when the jaws take their locking position. No particularmanipulation of the lid is necessary to obtain the locking. It resultstherefrom that the appliance according to the invention is particularlysimple to use.

According to a first embodiment, the unlocking means and the jaws aremounted in the body, the jaws engaging with the lid.

According to a second embodiment, the unlocking means and the jawsbelong to the lid, the jaws engaging with the body.

Advantageously, the jaws are mounted symmetrically with respect to thevertical axis passing through the center of gravity of the receptacleand of the lid.

This disposition permits an effective locking of the lid to be assured.

Advantageously, the lid and at least the top of the receptacle have ageometry of revolution.

This disposition permits creation of a locking device without indexing.The user does not have need to orient the lid in a precise position inorder to obtain locking of said lid.

According to a principle of construction, the jaws are associated withelastic restoring means, the restoring position being the lockingposition.

According to another principle of construction, the jaws are associatedwith restoring means formed by an unbalanced mass or elastic restoringmeans, the restoring position being the unlocking position.

According to one form of construction, the unlocking means act against arestoring means.

Advantageously, the unlocking means are formed by an unlocking buttonhaving a path along an axis substantially parallel to the direction ofintroduction of the working receptacle onto the base, such a dispositionpermitting a displacement or an unbalancing of the appliance to beavoided during operation of the unlocking button.

The jaws can be mounted to be movable radially between their lockingposition and their unlocking position, or be mounted to be movable inrotation. Advantageously, the jaws are two in number.

According to a construction principle, the appliance has blocking meansmovable between a rest position in which the jaws are capable of lockingthe lid onto the receptacle under the action of the restoring means, andan active position in which the jaws occupy their unlocking position, aswell as release means arranged to act on the blocking means to causethem to occupy their rest position.

This disposition has the advantage of permitting locking and unlockingby using only one hand.

According to another construction principle, the jaws have a bevelededge provided to cooperate with the lid or the body to push back thejaws in opposition to the restoring means during introduction of the lidonto the receptacle disposed on the base.

This disposition presents the advantage of permitting locking by asimple vertical movement of positioning the lid on the receptacle.

The working receptacle and the body can have lower rotation blockingmeans.

This disposition aids the blockage against rotation of the receptaclewith respect to the body and prevents the receptacle from being drivenin rotation by the material of the preparation, for example duringpreparation of dough.

Advantageously, the lower rotation blocking means are formed bycorrugated annular ribs arranged under the bottom of the receptacle,said annular ribs being provided to cooperate with radial ribs formed onthe base of the body.

The ribs combined with the locking means blocking the lid verticallywith respect to the body are sufficient to obtain a blockage againstrotation of the receptacle with respect to the body. Thus, the user doesnot need to lock the receptacle on the body. In addition, ribscorrugated in a periodic manner permit a positioning without preciseindexing of the receptacle on the base.

Advantageously, the appliance has elastic means, mounted on the lid orthe receptacle, said means being capable of being deformed when the lidis locked on the receptacle, and of raising the lid of the receptaclewhen the jaws are brought into the unlocking position.

This arrangement causes withdrawal of the lid to be easier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages and particularities of the invention will become morereadily apparent with the aid of the description given below, inreference to the attached drawings which show by way of non-limitingexamples, forms of construction of the object of the invention in which:

FIG. 1a shows a partial, front cross-sectional view of a first exampleof construction of a first embodiment of an electrical householdappliance for culinary preparation according to the invention, the lidbeing lifted from the working receptacle,

FIG. 1b shows a partial, front cross-sectional view of a detail of thefirst example of construction according to FIG. 1a, the lid being lockedonto the working receptacle,

FIG. 1c shows a partial, rear cross-sectional view of the first form ofconstruction according to FIG. 1a, the locking means being in thelocking position,

FIG. 1d shows a partial, top cross-sectional view of the first exampleof construction according to FIG. 1a, the locking means being in thelocking position,

FIG. 1e shows a partial, rear cross-sectional view of a variant of thefirst example of construction of the first embodiment of an electricalhousehold appliance for culinary preparation according to the invention,the locking means being in the locking position,

FIG. 1f shows a partial, rear cross-sectional view of the variantaccording to FIG. 1a, the locking means being in the unlocking position,

FIG. 1g shows a partial, top cross-sectional view of the variantaccording to FIG. 1e, the locking means being in the locking position,

FIG. 2a shows a partial, top cross-sectional view of a second example ofconstruction of a first embodiment of an electrical household appliancefor culinary preparation according to the invention,

FIG. 2b shows a partial, top cross-sectional view of a variant of asecond example of construction of a first embodiment of an electricalhousehold appliance for culinary preparation according to the invention,

FIG. 3a shows a partial, top cross-sectional view of a third example ofconstruction of a first embodiment of an electrical household appliancefor culinary preparation according to the invention,

FIG. 3b shows a partial, top cross-sectional view of a variant of athird example of construction of a first embodiment of an electricalhousehold appliance for culinary preparation according to the invention,

FIG. 4a shows a partial, top cross-sectional view of a fourth example ofconstruction of a first embodiment of an electrical household appliancefor culinary preparation according to the invention,

FIG. 4b shows a partial, front cross-sectional view of the fourthexample of construction according to FIG. 4a, in which the lid is liftedfrom the working receptacle,

FIG. 4c shows a partial, front cross-sectional view of a detail of thefourth example of construction according to FIG. 4a, in which the lid islocked onto the working receptacle,

FIG. 5a shows a partial, lateral cross-sectional view of a fifth exampleof construction of the first embodiment of an electrical householdappliance for culinary preparation according to the invention, in whichthe lid is lifted from the working receptacle,

FIG. 5b shows a top view of the fifth example of construction accordingto FIG. 5a in which a cover of the body of the appliance has beenremoved,

FIG. 5c shows a partial, front cross-sectional view of a detail of thefifth example of construction according to FIG. 5a, in which the lid islifted from the working receptacle,

FIG. 6a shows a front cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of anelectrical household appliance for culinary preparation according to theinvention,

FIG. 6b shows a front cross-sectional view of a detail of the secondembodiment according to FIG. 6a,

FIG. 6c shows a top view of the second embodiment according to FIG. 6a,

FIG. 6d shows a front cross-sectional view of a detail of a variant ofthe second embodiment according to FIG. 6a,

FIG. 6e shows a top view of a detail of the variant according to FIG.6d,

FIG. 6f shows a front cross-sectional view of the detail of the variantaccording to FIG. 6d, in which the unlocking means are in the restposition,

FIG. 6g shows a front cross-sectional view of the detail of the variantaccording to FIG. 6d, in which the unlocking means are blocked in theactive position,

FIG. 6h shows a front cross-sectional view of the detail of the variantaccording to FIG. 6d, in which the release means is activated to returnthe unlocking means to the rest position,

FIG. 7 is a partial, side cross-sectional view of a detail of oneadvantageous variant of construction of an electrical householdappliance for culinary preparation according to the invention,

FIGS. 8a and 8 b are a partial, cross-sectional view of anotheradvantageous variant of construction of an electrical householdappliance for culinary preparation according to the invention.

BEST MANNER OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The electrical household appliance for culinary preparation of the foodprocessor type according to the invention represented in the figures hasa body 1 forming a base 2 provided to receive a working receptacle 3with an axis of symmetry x-x′ in which can be disposed a rotatableworking element 4 driven by a motor (not shown in the drawings) disposedin body 1.

The appliance also has a lid 5 provided to close working receptacle 3and means for locking lid 5 on working receptacle 3 disposed on base 2.Lid 5 is advantageously furnished with a hollow shaft 204 provided forthe introduction of ingredients during production of the preparation.

Working receptacle 3 advantageously has a handle 10 and a lowerperipheral skirt 13 provided to cooperate with a rim 9 formed in base 2.Working receptacle 3 has lateral walls 28 and a bottom 29 in which isarranged a central hollow shaft 20 provided for the passage of means fordriving working element 4.

Advantageously, working element 4 is composed of a hub 21 on which ismounted in a known manner a working tool 22, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b. Hub 21 cooperates with a rod 19 mounted in lid 5 to stabilize therotation of working element 4.

The motor (not shown in the figures) disposed in body 1 of the appliancedrives a transmission shaft 23, mounted opposite an opening 24 arrangedin base 2, and on which is mounted working element 4, as shown in FIGS.1a, 1 b and 6 a. Advantageously, the appliance includes safety meansprovided to allow operation of said appliance when lid 5 is correctlypositioned on receptacle 3.

Advantageously, as shown in FIGS. 1a, 1 b and 6 a, working receptacle 3and body 1 have lower rotation blocking means formed by corrugatedannular ribs 180 provided at the outside of receptacle 3 under bottom29, preferably in a periodic manner, for example sinusoidal with twelvebosses 182 and twelve hollows 183, said annular ribs 180 being providedto cooperate with radial ribs 181 formed in base 2 in order to positionin a stable manner receptacle 3 on base 2 of body 1. In a preferredmanner, the curvature of annular ribs 180 follows the curvature ofradial ribs 181, as shown in FIG. 7, in a manner to aid rotation ofreceptacle 3 in order to occupy a stable position when the latter isdisposed on base 2. By way of a variant, other lower rotation blockingmeans, such as a bayonet lock, can be envisioned.

According to the invention, the locking means have at least two jaws 6;106; 8 mounted for movement against at least one restoring means 7between a locking position and an unlocking position, and the appliancehas unlocking means 35; 175; 87 mounted for movement between a restposition in which jaws 6; 106; 8 are able to lock lid 5 on receptacle 3,and an active position, in which jaws 6; 106; 8 occupy their unlockingposition.

The locking means for lid 5 on body 1 have at least two jaws 6; 106; 8mounted for movement in opposition to at least one restoring means 7between a locking position, in which lid 5 is vertically blocked withrespect to body 1, and an unlocking position, in which lid 5 can bewithdrawn, jaws 6; 106; 8 being associated with unlocking means 35; 175;87, mounted for movement between a rest position in which jaws 6; 106are able to lock lid 5 on receptacle 3, and an active position, in whichjaws 6; 106 occupy their unlocking position.

According to a first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a to 5 c, unlockingmeans 35; 175 of jaws 6; 106 are mounted in body 1, jaws 6; 106 engagingwith lid 5.

According to a second embodiment shown in FIGS. 6a to 6 h, unlockingmeans 87 and jaws 8 belong to lid 5, jaws 8 engaging with body 1.

Advantageously, unlocking means 35; 175; 87 act in opposition to anelastic restoring means 36; 7. Advantageously, each jaw 6; 106; 8 isassociated with a restoring means 7. According to the examples ofconstruction shown in FIGS. 1a to 4 and 5 a to 5 h, restoring means 7 isan elastic restoring means, the restoring position corresponding to thelocking position of jaws 6; 106; 8.

According to a variant of construction of different examples ofconstruction, the appliance has moreover blocking means movable betweena rest position, in which jaws 6; 106; 8 are able to lock lid 5 onreceptacle 3, and an active position, in which jaws 6; 106; 8 occupytheir unlocking position, as well as release means able to act on theblocking means to cause them to occupy their rest position.

In a general manner, in order to lock the appliance, the user placesworking receptacle 3 on base 2, for example by gripping said receptacleby handle 10, then places working element 4 in receptacle 3. The usercan also place working element 4 in receptacle 3 and then workingreceptacle 3 including working element 4 on base 2.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, jaws 6; 106 aremounted on body 1 of the appliance.

As shown in FIGS. 1a to 5 c, jaws 6 are advantageously two in number andmounted diametrically opposite one another with respect to the axis ofsymmetry x-x′ of receptacle 3 disposed on base 2.

According to a variant of construction, not shown in the figures, theappliance according to the invention has more than two jaws, for exampletwo pairs of jaws 6 mounted in diametric opposition with respect to theaxis of symmetry x-x′ of receptacle 3 disposed on base 2, each pair ofjaws 6 being constituted by two jaws disposed in proximity to oneanother. This arrangement permits a reduction in the volume of materialof the jaws while assuring sufficiently spaced bearing points on thelid. Advantageously, the jaws are symmetrically mounted with respect tothe vertical axis passing through the center of gravity of receptacle 3and of lid 5. Thus, the resultant of the application forces of the jawspasses through the center of gravity.

FIGS. 1a to 1 d show a first example of construction of the firstembodiment of the invention.

As shown in FIG. 1a, lid 5 is lifted from working receptacle 3. As shownin FIG. 1b, lid 5 is locked onto receptacle 3 by jaws 6 pushed byrestoring means 7.

Lid 5 has a peripheral skirt 15 having at least one rim 11 provided tocooperate with jaws 6. Advantageously, rim 11 is peripheral. Thisarrangement permits placement of lid 5 on working receptacle 3 without apreferential angular orientation. According to a variant ofconstruction, not shown in the figures, at least one of rims 11 isformed by the lower wall of a cavity, opening or not, formed in the wallof skirt 15.

As shown in FIG. 1a, jaws 6 are mounted to be radially movable inhousings 12 of body 1 from which they are able to emerge throughopenings 25. Each jaw 6 advantageously has an abutment 26 able tocooperate with a wall 27 of housing 12 in order to limit the travel ofsaid jaw pushed back by restoring means 7.

As shown in FIG. 1a, housings 12 are arranged in uprights 30 whichextend from base 2. By way of a variant, not shown in the figures,uprights 30 can be replaced by arms extending from a column that itselfextends from base 2.

Each rim 11 has, in an advantageous manner, an upper plane 16 providedto cooperate with a lower plane 17 arranged on each of jaws 6.Advantageously, each rim 11 has a lower beveled edge 18 provided to pushjaws 6 back against restoring means 7 during placement of lid 5 onworking receptacle 3. Advantageously, each jaw 6 has an upper bevelededge 14 provided to facilitate sliding of rim 11 on said jaw duringplacement of lid 5 on working receptacle 3.

Each of the two jaws 6 is mounted on an arm 31, 32. As shown in FIG. 1d,the first arm 31 slides axially on the second arm 32. Each arm 31, 32carries one of jaws 6. By way of a variant, each arm 31, 32 could carryseveral jaws 6.

The unlocking means comprise an unlocking button 35 mounted in body 1against a restoring means 36. Unlocking button 35 has two cammingsurfaces 37, 38 able to push, respectively, a first camming surface 39arranged on first arm 31 and a second camming surface 40 arranged onsecond arm 32, first arm 31 having an opening 41 provided for thepassage of second camming surface 40 or of camming surface 38. Unlockingbutton 35 is movable against restoring means 36 between a rest position,in which jaws 6 are able to lock lid 5 on receptacle 3, and an activeposition corresponding to the restoring position, in which jaws 6 occupytheir unlocking position and lid 5 can be withdrawn from receptacle 3.

Advantageously, unlocking button 35 has an activation surface 44emerging on a face of body 1, second arm 32 equally having an opening 42provided for the passage of a part 45 of button 35, for example for thepurpose of guiding in a conduit 46 disposed with respect to arms 31, 32opposite activation surface 44. In an advantageous manner, unlockingbutton 35 has a travel path along an axis substantially parallel to thedirection of introduction of working receptacle 3 on base 2.

Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 1c, activation surface 44 is disposedon an upper face 47 of body I of the appliance, preferably at theinterior of the perimeter determined by the bearing points of theappliance on a working support (not shown in the figures). Thisarrangement permits a great stability of the appliance when the userbears on activation surface 44 in order to bring jaws 6 into theirunlocking position.

The operation of the first example of construction of the firstembodiment is the following:

In order to lock the appliance, the user places, by a vertical movement,lid 5 on receptacle 3 in place on base 2.

When rim 11 of lid 5 has a lower beveled edge 18 and jaws 6 have anupper beveled edge 14, the user simply bears on lid 5 to push back jaws6, arms 31, 32 sliding in one another. When lower plane 17 of jaws 6 hasmoved past upper plane 16 of rim 11, restoring means 7 lead jaws 6 ontorim 11 and lid 5 is locked.

When the contact of rim 11 with jaws 6 is not sufficient to push saidjaws, the user must press on unlocking button 35 in order to separatearms 31, 32 carrying jaws 6 before placing lid 5 on receptacle 3.

In order to unlock the appliance, the user presses on unlocking button35 with one hand. He can then withdraw with the other hand lid 5 fromreceptacle 3, or even receptacle 3 covered with lid 5 from base 2, forexample by holding receptacle 3 by handle 10.

FIGS. 1e to 1 g show a variant of construction of the first example ofconstruction of the first embodiment of the invention, having blockingmeans and release means.

The blocking means are constituted by lugs 142 arranged on cammingsurfaces 37, 38 of unlocking button 35 and are provided to cooperatewith cavities 143 provided on camming surfaces 39, 40 of arms 31, 32.Unlocking button 35 has another camming surface 144 provided tocooperate with the end 145 of a shaft 146 forming the release means.Shaft 146 is advantageously mounted to be movable against a spring 147and comprises a head 148 accessible from outside body 1 to permit itsmanipulation by the user. FIG. 1e shows unlocking button 35 in its restposition, jaws 6 being in the unlocking position. FIG. 1f showsunlocking button 35 in the active position, blocked by lugs 143 formingthe blocking means, camming surface 144 pushing back shaft 146 formingthe release means.

The operation of this variant of construction has the followingparticularities:

In order to unlock the appliance, the user presses on unlocking button35 in order to bring the unlocking means into the active position. Thelocking means are then blocked in the active position by the blockingmeans. Lugs 142 of button 35 brought into the active position areblocked in cavities 143 and maintain arms 31, 32 carrying jaws 6separated. The blocking means maintaining jaws 6 in the unlockingposition, the user can then withdraw lid 5 from receptacle 3 orreceptacle 3 covered by lid 5 from base 2.

In order to lock the appliance, the user puts receptacle 3 and lid 5 inplace, then pushes head 148 of shaft 146 forming the release meansagainst body 1. End 145 cooperates with camming surface 144 to pushbutton 35, causing escape of lugs 142 from cavities 143. Restoring means7 push jaws 6 back against lid 5.

FIG. 2a shows a bottom view in cross-section of a second example ofconstruction of the first embodiment of the invention. This examplediffers from the preceding example of construction in that arms 31, 32are articulated, the operation remaining identical for the user. Eacharm 31, 32 is mounted on a pivot 51, 52 and has a first member 53, 54having a port 55, 56 cooperating with a lug 57, 58 mounted on each ofjaws 6. Each arm 31, 32 equally has a second member 61, 62 having a port63, 64 cooperating with a lug 65, 66 mounted on a slide 67, 68. Thefirst slide 67 has the first camming surface 39 and the second slide hasthe second camming surface 40. The first slide 67 has an opening 41provided for passage of the second camming surface 40 or of cammingsurface 38 of unlocking button 35.

FIG. 2b shows a variant of construction of the second example ofconstruction of the first embodiment of the invention, having blockingmeans and release means. Cavities 143 are provided on camming surfaces39, 40 of slides 67, 68. The operation for the user is identical to thatof the preceding variant.

According to a third example of construction of the first embodiment ofthe invention, shown in FIG. 3a, the unlocking means comprise arotatable unlocking button 175.

Unlocking button 175 has an eccentric surface 79 and is able to turnaround a shaft 172. Slides 67 and 68 of the preceding example ofconstruction are replaced by a rocker 70 having two ports 71, 72cooperating with two lugs 75, 76 mounted respectively on each secondmember 61, 62 of arms 31, 32. Rocker 70 has a third port 73perpendicular to the axis connecting the two preceding ports 71, 72,said port cooperating with a lug 77 fixed to body 1 of the appliance.Rocker 70 is mounted to be movable against a restoring means 74 and hasa control surface 78 provided to cooperate with unlocking button 175.The protrusion 79 of unlocking button 175 is able to push controlsurface 78 back against restoring means 74, port 73 guiding rocker 70 bymeans of lug 77. Advantageously, unlocking button 175 cooperates with arestoring means, not shown in the figures.

The operation of the third example of construction of the firstembodiment is similar to that of the first or of the second example ofconstruction. The difference consists in the rotatable unlocking button175.

FIG. 3b shows a variant of construction of the third example ofconstruction of the first embodiment of the invention having blockingmeans and release means.

The blocking means are formed by a cavity 176, arranged on button 175,and able to cooperate with control surface 78 of rocker 70. The releasemeans are formed by unlocking button 175.

The operation of this variant of construction has the followingparticularities:

In order to unlock the appliance, the user turns unlocking button 175 inorder to bring the unlocking means into the active position. The lockingmeans are then blocked in the active position by the blocking means.Rocker 70 blocked in cavity 176 of button 175 brought into the activeposition turns arms 31, 32 on which jaws 6 are mounted. The blockingmeans maintaining jaws 6 in the unlocking position, the user can thenremove lid 5 from receptacle 3 or receptacle 3 covered with lid 5 frombase 2.

In order to lock the appliance, the user puts receptacle 3 and lid 5 inplace, then turns button 175 forming the release means. Restoring means74 pushes rocker 70 and restoring means 7 push jaws 6 against lid 5.

FIGS. 4a, 4 b and 4 c show a fourth example of construction of the firstembodiment of the invention, in which jaws 106 are two in number and areeach mounted on a shaft 130 which is movable in rotation. As shown inFIG. 4a, each of shafts 130 comprises a toothed wheel 131 cooperatingwith a rack 132 disposed on slides 133, 134. Slides 133, 134 slide inone another and advantageously each have a camming surface 39, 40provided to cooperate with a locking button such as that described inthe first example of construction of the first embodiment of theinvention. Restoring means 7 provided to lead jaws 106 into the lockingposition is disposed between slides 133 and 134.

FIGS. 4b and 4 c show a partial cross-sectional view of one of jaws 106mounted in body 1. Each jaw 106 has a plane 89 provided to cooperatewith rim 11 of lid 5 during locking, and a plane 135 provided tocooperate with upper plane 16 of lid 3 in order to maintain lid 5locked. Lower beveled edge 18 arranged on rim 11 of the lidadvantageously facilitates rotation of jaws 106.

Advantageously, each jaw 106 has a boss 136 provided to turn in a freespace 138 at the interior of which is arranged a protrusion 139 forminga hard point, thus permitting boss 136 to be blocked in a housing 137.

Boss 136 and protrusion 139 form a means for blocking jaws 106 in theunlocking position, such as shown in FIG. 4b, and permit the user toplace lid 5 on body 3 or to withdraw lid 5 from body 3 without having tohold the unlocking button.

This blocking means is self-unblocking, the placement of lid 5 onreceptacle 3 driving disengagement of boss 136 from protrusion 139 underthe action of plane 16 on plane 135. FIGS. 4b and 4 c show a partialannular cutout 140 extending along the length of one of jaws 106, aidingelastic deformation of said jaw at the level of boss 136 when the lattercrosses protrusion 139.

The release means are formed by rim 11 of the lid able to cooperate withplane 89 of jaws 106.

The operation of the fourth example of construction of the firstembodiment combines the advantages of the preceding examples ofconstruction and of their variants.

To lock the appliance, the user places lid 5 on receptacle 3 in place onbase 2. Contact of rim 11 of lid 5 with plane 89 of jaw 106 drivesrotation of said jaw. Boss 136 being freed from protrusion 139, jaw 106pivots under the action of restoring means 7 and plane 135 comes to reston upper plane 16 of rim 11.

In order to unlock, the user bears on unlocking button 35. Slides 133,134 move apart and cause pivoting of shafts 130 carrying jaws 106.Protrusion 139 then blocks boss 136. By this fact, jaws 106 remainblocked in the unlocking position.

The user can thus lock lid 5 simply by placing it on receptacle 3 andunlock the lid, then withdraw it while using only a single hand.

According to a fifth example of construction of the first embodiment,shown in FIGS. 5a to 5 c, the locking means have rotatable jaws 106mounted in body 1 to be movable between a locking position and anunlocking position. The unlocking position constitutes the waitingposition.

Jaw 106 shown in FIG. 5c is mounted to be movable in rotation on a shaft346, and is shown in the waiting position. Jaw 106 has a notch 356provided to receive one end 357 of a rod 347. Jaw 106 also has a cutout349 provided to cooperate with rim 11 of lid 5.

As shown in FIG. 5b, body 1 has two arms 341 between which the workingreceptacle (not shown in the figure) can be disposed. On each of arms341 is mounted the jaw 106 provided to lock lid 5 onto workingreceptacle 3. Jaws 106 are represented in their locking position. Eachjaw 106 has a counterweight forming a restoring means tending to bringsaid jaw into its waiting position. By way of a variant, not shown inthe figures, the restoring means can be an elastic restoring means.

An activation arm 342 mounted in body 1 is extended in each arm 341 byrod 347, the end 357 of which is able to cooperate with jaw 106. Springs352 are provided to displace activation arm 342 into an exit position ina direction of the working receptacle. The activation arm belongs tosafety device shown in FIG. 5a.

FIG. 5a shows in body I of the appliance a control means 320 of thesafety device having a rocker 343 controlling a switch 350. Rocker 343is pivotably mounted on a shaft 353. One end of rocker 343 is able to beactuated by rim 11 of lid 5. Lid 5 includes a skirt 15 having a shoulder348 and is terminated by an end 358 forming rim 11. The opposed end ofrocker 343 has a housing in which a shaft 354 of a control element 344pivots.

Activation arm 342 is mounted in body 1 for movement between a retractedposition in which lid 5 can be placed on working receptacle 3represented in FIG. 5a, and an exit position in which one end ofactivation arm 342 comes to partially cover shoulder 348 of lid 5. Oneend of control element 344 is provided to actuate the button ofmicroswitch 350 while the other end cooperates with the activation arm.

The safety device is associated with means for locking lid 5 onreceptacle 3 formed by jaws 106. An unlocking button 35 of the lockingmeans is mounted in body 1 to be movable between a depressed positionfor unlocking in which the lid can be placed or withdrawn and a raisedposition in which the lid is locked onto the working receptacle. In FIG.5a, the activation arm is in the retracted position and the unlockingbutton is represented in the unlocking position. Button 35 has a cammingsurface 355 able to be actuated by activation arm 342. A cover 351mounted on body 1 covers the elements of the locking device.

The operation of this fifth example of construction is the following.

When lid 5 is withdrawn from receptacle 3, jaws 106 occupy their waitingposition.

When lid 5 is in place on receptacle 3, rim 11 actuates at the same timerocker 343 and jaws 106. Rocker 343 pivots on shaft 353 and approachescontrol element 344 of microswitch 350. Jaws 106 pivot on shafts 346 andends 357 of rods 347 of activation arm 342 enter into notches 356. Jaws106 are then locked in the locking position. Under the action of springs352, activation arm 342 assumes its exit position, a position in whichit comes to partially cover shoulder 348 of lid 5. During thisdisplacement, activation arm 342 drives the upward movement of unlockingbutton 35 into the locking position by the intermediary of cam 355, andactuates control element 344 which comes to control microswitch 350.

In order to unlock, the user presses on unlocking button 35, whichpushes activation arm 342 which then frees jaws 106. The user canwithdraw lid 5 from receptacle 3. When lid 5 is withdrawn, jaws 106assume their waiting position.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, jaws 8 are mounted onlid 5 of the appliance.

According to an example of construction shown in FIGS. 6a to 6 c, jaws 8are advantageously two in number and mounted diametrically opposite oneanother with respect to an axis of symmetry x-x′ of receptacle 3disposed on base 2, each against a restoring means 7. Each jaw 8 isextended by a peripheral edge 80 provided to cooperate with a peripheralrim 81 disposed on body 1 of the appliance.

Advantageously as shown in FIG. 6c, body 1 has two diametrically opposedrims 81 and edges 80 of jaws 8 have an angular opening which is largerthan rims 81 of body 1 of the appliance.

As shown in FIG. 6a, rims 81 are arranged on uprights 30 coming frombase 2. By way of a variant, not shown in the figures, uprights 30 canbe replaced by arms coming from a column itself coming from base 2.

As shown in FIG. 6b, each peripheral edge 80 of jaw 8 has in anadvantageous manner an upper plane 416 provided to cooperate with alower plane 417 arranged on rims 81 of body 1.

Advantageously, each rim 80 of jaw 8 has a lower beveled edge 418provided to push jaw 8 against restoring means 7 during placement of lid5 on working receptacle 3 disposed on base 2 opposite rims 81 of body 1.

Advantageously, each rim 81 of body 1 has an upper beveled edge 414provided to facilitate sliding of rim 80 of jaw 8 on rim 81 of body 1during placement of lid 5 on working receptacle 3 disposed on base 2opposite rims 81 of body 1.

Each jaw 8, mounted for radial movement, is in an advantageous mannerprolonged by an arm 82 slidably mounted under a plate 83, said arm 82having a guiding port 85 cooperating with a lug 86 fixed to lid 5. Plate83 has an opening 84 through which each of arms 82 presents a projectingupright 87. The two uprights 87 form the unlocking means. The restposition of uprights 87 corresponds to the locking position of jaws 8and the active position of uprights 87 corresponds to the unlockingposition of jaws 8.

According to a variant of construction of the second embodiment, notshown in the figures, peripheral rim 81 occupies the entire periphery ofbody 1 of the appliance. According to another variant of construction,equally not shown in the figures, more than two jaws 8, for examplefour, are mounted on lid 5.

The operation of the example of construction of the second embodiment isthe following:

In order to lock the appliance, the user disposes, by a verticalmovement, lid 5 on receptacle 3 positioned on base 2.

When peripheral edge 80 of jaws 8 has a lower beveled edge 418 andperipheral rim 81 of body I has an upper beveled edge 414, the userplaces lid 5 on receptacle 3, the jaws 8 being opposite rims 81 in thecase where rims 81 do not occupy the entire periphery of body 1. Whenupper plane 416 of jaws 8 has moved past lower plane 417 of rim 81,restoring means 7 lead jaws 8 under rim 81 and lid 5 is locked.

When the contact of rim 81 with jaws 8 is not sufficient to push backsaid jaws, the user must bear on uprights 87 forming the unlocking meansin order to separate jaws 8 before placing lid 5 on receptacle 3.

In order to unlock the appliance, the user moves the two uprights 87together, which separates jaws 8 from rims 81. The user can thenwithdraw lid 5 from receptacle 3 by holding the lid by uprights 87, orwithdraw receptacle 3 covered with lid 5, by taking lid 5 by uprights 87in one hand and receptacle 3 by handle 10 in the other hand.

FIGS. 6d to 6 h show a variant of construction of the example ofconstruction of the second embodiment of the invention, having blockingmeans and release means.

The blocking means are formed by lugs 224 provided on arms 82, able tocooperate with raised parts 225 provided on a ring 226 of a pushbutton220 mounted on lid 5. Advantageously, as shown in FIG. 6d, pushbutton220 forms an element for gripping the lid.

Pushbutton 220 forms the release means. Pushbutton 220 has an activationsurface 221 movable against a spring 223 between a raised position inwhich lugs 224 are able to come to engage with raised parts 225, and adepressed position in which raised parts 225 free lugs 224 and thus arms82 pushed back by restoring means 7. Advantageously, activation surface221 is disposed substantially at the top of lid 5, so that the userholding lid 5 by pushbutton 220 can press with the same motion onsurface 221. FIG. 6h shows the activation surface in the depressedposition.

The operation of this variant of construction has the followingparticularities:

To unlock the appliance, the user moves the two uprights 87 toward oneanother, which separates jaws 8 from rims 81. Uprights 87 brought intothe active position are blocked by lugs 224 cooperating with raisedparts 225. The blocking means maintaining jaws 8 in the unlockingposition, the user can then withdraw lid 5 from receptacle 3 orreceptacle 3 with lid 5 thereon from base 2.

To lock the appliance the user puts lid 5 in place on receptacle 3, withjaws 8 opposite rims 81 on body 1, by maintaining for example lid 5 bybutton 220. Advantageously, in the same movement when lid 5 is in placeon receptacle 3, the user presses on activation surface 221. Raisedparts 225 free lugs 224 and the restoring means push back jaws 8 againstbody 1. The user can equally proceed in two steps: first of all put lid5 in place, then press on activation surface 221.

Advantageously, the apparatus includes a lifting device 360 for lid 5,constituted by elastic means able to be deformed when lid 5 is lockedonto receptacle 3, and able to raise lid 5 of receptacle 3 when the jawsare brought into the unlocking position.

According to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8a and 8 b, jaws 6 aremounted on body 1 and the elastic means are constituted by a pluralityof springs 361, only one of which is shown in the figures, said springsbeing mounted in lid 5, and their free end 364 being able to slide in agroove 362 arranged in a wall 365 of lid 5. Advantageously, springs 361are at least three in number. FIG. 8a shows lid 5 locked onto receptacle3 by means of jaws 6, only one of which is shown. Springs 361 mounted ina housing 363 of lid 5 are compressed by receptacle 3. FIG. 8b shows lid5 unlocked, jaws 6, only one of which is shown, being in the unlockingposition. Springs 361 lift lid 5 from receptacle 3.

Advantageously, the elastic means is able to lift lid 5 so that the jawsreassuming their locking position are not able to lock lid 5 onreceptacle 3. As shown in FIG. 8b, upper beveled edge 14 of jaws 6 isable to push back lower beveled edge 18 of rim 11 of lid 5 lifted fromreceptacle 3. Other dispositions can be envisioned. By way of example,the elastic means could lift rim 11 above jaws 6.

By way of a variant, lifting device 360 can include elastic means otherthan spring 361, for example a ring of elastomer. By way of a variantalso, the elastic means can be mounted on receptacle 3, even on body 1.By way of a further variant, the jaws can be rotatable jaws 106, or jaws8 mounted on lid 5.

Advantageously, the elastic means of lifting device 360 for lid 5 liftlid 5 of receptacle 3. Advantageously also, the elastic means lift lid 5so that the jaws reassuming their locking position are not able to locklid 5 on receptacle 3. The user can thus actuate the unlocking meanswith one hand, then withdraw, advantageously with the same hand, lid 5resting on the jaws.

The invention is not in any way strictly limited to the examples ofconstruction described previously, but encompasses numerousmodifications and improvements.

Notably, by way of complementary examples, it is possible to envisionrotatable jaws mounted on the lid or even rotatable jaws associated witha rotatable unlocking button, the two arrangements being able to beassociated.

The arms carrying the jaws of the first and second examples ofconstruction of the first embodiment can be replaced by arms movable inrotation around a substantially vertical axis.

The invention can also be applied to an appliance having a receptacleand a lid of which the geometry is not a geometry of revolution, or to areceptacle and a lid of which the parts opposite one another do not havean axis of symmetry and require an indexing of the lid on the receptacleaccording to a given position.

The invention can also be applied to an appliance having a receptacleand a lid of which the parts opposite one another have an axis ofsymmetry, the body of the receptacle not being of a geometry ofrevolution, such an appliance permitting a freedom of positioning inrotation of the lid on the receptacle during introduction of the lidonto the receptacle.

The freedom of positioning in rotation can be total (over 360°), partial(over one or several angular sectors) or multiple (along to severalpositions).

The invention can equally be applied to an appliance having a receptacleor a lid positioned on the receptacle by a uniaxial movement along aninclined axis, distinct from the vertical axis.

It is equally possible to replace the central hollow shaft by a sealedpassage through the wall permitting the transmission of movement to thetool, such as known on electrical household appliances of the mixertypes, provided for producing liquid preparations.

POSSIBILITIES OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION

The invention finds its application in the general technical field ofelectrical household appliances for culinary preparation, of themulti-use food processor type.

What is claimed is:
 1. Electrical household appliance for culinarypreparation, of the food processor type having a body (1) forming a base(2) provided to receive a working receptacle (3) in which can bedisposed a rotatable working element (4) driven by a motor disposed inthe body (1), a lid (5) provided to close the working receptacle (3)1and means for locking the lid (5) on the working receptacle (3) disposedon the base (2), characterized in that: the locking means have at leasttwo jaws (6; 106) movably mounted on the body (1) between a lockingposition in which they engage the lid (5) to block it vertically and anunlocking position in which the lid (5) can be withdrawn, these jawsbeing movable against at least one restoring means (7) toward one of thetwo positions, and in that the appliance has unlocking means (35; 175)movably mounted on the body between a rest position in which the jaws(6; 106) are able to lock the lid (5) on the receptacle (3), and anactive position in which the jaws (6; 106) are brought into theirunlocking position.
 2. Appliance according to claim 1, characterized inthat the jaws (6; 106; 8) are mounted symmetrically with respect to thevertical axis passing through the center of gravity of the receptacle(3) and of the lid (5).
 3. Appliance according to claim 1, characterizedin that the lid (5) and at least the top of the receptacle (3) have ageometry of revolution.
 4. Appliance according to claim 1, characterizedin that the jaws (6; 106; 8) are associated with elastic restoring means(7), the restoring position being the locking position.
 5. Applianceaccording to claim 4, characterized in that the unlocking means areformed by an unlocking button (35) mounted against the restoring means(36), said button having two camming surfaces (37, 38) able to push backrespectively a first camming surface (39) provided on the first arm (31)and a second camming surface (40) provided on the second arm (32). 6.Appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that it has blockingmeans (142; 176; 136; 224) movable between a rest position in which thejaws (6; 106; 8) are able to lock the lid (5) on the receptacle (3)under the action of restoring means (7), and an active position in whichthe jaws (6; 106; 8) occupy their unlocking position, as well as releasemeans (146; 175; 11; 220), arranged to act on the blocking means (142;176; 136; 224) in order to cause them to occupy their rest position. 7.Appliance according to claim 4, characterized in that the jaws (6; 8)have a beveled edge (14; 80) provided to cooperate with the lid (5) orthe body (1) in order to push back the jaws (6; 8) against the restoringmeans (7) during introduction of the lid (5) on the receptacle (3)disposed on the base (2).
 8. Appliance according to claim 1, furthercomprising restoring means associated with the jaws (106), saidrestoring means being formed by a counterweight or elastic restoringmeans, and said restoring means being operative to urge the jaws towardthe unlocking position.
 9. Appliance according to claim 8, characterizedin that it comprises a locking arm (342) mounted in the body (1) movableagainst springs (352), said locking aim being provided to block in thelocking position the jaws (106) each mounted on one of the shafts (346),said locking arm being able to be manipulated by an unlocking button(35) in order to free said jaws.
 10. Appliance according to claim 1,characterized in that the unlocking means (35; 175; 87) act against arestoring means (36; 7; 352).
 11. Appliance according to claim 1,characterized in that the unlocking means are formed by an unlockingbutton (35) having a travel path along an axis substantially parallel tothe direction of introduction of the working receptacle (3) on the base(2).
 12. Appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that theunlocking means comprise a rotatable unlocking button (175). 13.Appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the jaws (6; 8)are mounted for movement radially between their locking position andtheir unlocking position.
 14. Appliance according to claim 1,characterized in that it has two arms (31, 32) each carrying at leastone jaw (6).
 15. Appliance according to claim 1, characterized in thatit has two jaws (106) each mounted on a shaft (130; 346) movable inrotation.
 16. Appliance according to claim 15, characterized in thateach of the shafts (130) comprises a toothed wheel (131) cooperatingwith a rack (132) disposed on a slide (133, 134), the slides (133, 134)sliding in one another and each having a camming service (39, 40)provided to cooperate with an unlocking button (35), mounted against therestoring means (36), said button forming the unlocking means. 17.Appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid (5) hastwo jaws (8) mounted diametrically in opposition to the workingreceptacle (3) disposed on the base (2), each jaw (8) being extended bya peripheral edge (80) extending beyond the working receptacle (3) andprovided to cooperate with a peripheral rim (81) disposed on the body(1) of the appliance, each jaw (8) being extended by an arm (82)slidably mounted under a plate (83), said arm (82) having a guide port(85) cooperating with a lug (86) fixed to the lid (5), the plate (83)having an opening (84) through which each of the arms (82) has aprotruding upright (87), the two uprights (87) forming the unlockingmeans.
 18. Appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that theworking receptacle (3) and the body (1) have lower rotation blockingmeans.
 19. Appliance according to claim 1, characterized in that thelower rotation blocking means are formed by corrugated annular ribs(180) provided under a bottom (28) of the receptacle (3), said annularribs (180) being provided to cooperate with radial ribs (181) formed onthe base (2) of the body (1).
 20. Appliance according to claim 1,characterized in that it comprises elastic means mounted on the lid (5)or the receptacle (3), said elastic means being able to be deformed whenthe lid (5) is locked on the receptacle (3), and being able to lift thelid (5) from the receptacle (3) when the jaws (6; 106; 8) are broughtinto the unlocking position.